Andrus is Argos' new coach

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Terry Koshan

Jan 15, 2009

, Last Updated: 3:19 PM ET

Bart Andrus will be introduced as the Toronto Argonauts’ new head coach on Friday, a highly placed CFL source has confirmed.

Andrus, 50, was an offensive assistant with the Tennessee Titans this past season, and his offensive background should help the Argos. For several years, the Argos have languished at or near the bottom of the CFL standings in the area of offence.

Earlier this week, cornerback Jordan Younger, who played for Andrus in NFL Europa with the Amsterdam Admirals, called Andrus “a dynamic offensive mind.” Younger re-signed with the Argos after one season with the Edmonton Eskimos.

The Argos were last in the CFL in 2008 with an average of 347.3 yards of offence a game. Andrus, a quarterback during his college days at the University of Montana, has been said to use his imagination when his teams have the ball, a trait that should go over well in the CFL. One man who could stand to benefit the most is Argos quarterback Kerry Joseph, who struggled mightily last season, his first in Toronto.

Andrus will replace Don Matthews, who was a disaster at 0-8 after the Argos fired Rich Stubler. The latter had guided the Argos to a 4-6 record before he was released. At 4-14 overall, the Argos missed the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons.

The Argos’ head coaching position became open when Matthews re-signed last Halloween, a day after the Argos’ season ended.

Andrus has zero CFL experience and there have been rumours that former CFL coach Dave Ritchie could be hired to help guide him.

The Argos’ first choice for head coach was B.C. Lions defensive co-ordinator Mike Benevides, a Toronto native. But Benevides turned the Argos down, deciding to stay with the Lions.